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CG5 Bookshelf Speaker

A speaker tuned with Compression Guide becomes transparent like a pane of glass. Sound channels through it unencumbered by the impurities of the speaker itself. The process liberates sound from the boundaries of the speaker, allowing it to spread freely into open space. A boundless sound atmosphere is unveiled, where instruments, vocalists, and sound effects decorate the room around you. Master craftsmanship and premium components provide crystal-clear resolution and brilliant dynamics. Compression Guide tuning brings it all to life.

The Compression Guide 5 is the latest breakthrough in our award winning lineage of speakers. It is artistry you experience.

Color: Black (Gloss)
$350
Condition
Free Shipping within the Continental US
* TAXES (GST) INCLUDED *
The CG5 Bookshelf Speaker has been
DISCONTINUED

CG5 Bookshelf Speaker

CG5 Components
Features
Grille & Finishes

SUPERIOR BUILD FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

Included: 1 x CG5

Compact bookshelf and “LCR” models, available for flexible multi-channel options.

*NEW* Scratch resistant matte finish blends into any environment

Patented Compression Guide tuning for extended bass response

Improved efficiency over original gloss models

Audiophile grade crossover components

Mineral-filled woven aramid fiber cones

Recommended for use with amplifiers rated from 40W to 150W per channel

BETTER DESIGN & FINISHINGS

COMPRESSION GUIDE TECHNOLOGY

THE ACE UP OUR SLEEVE

Compression Guide technology is the difference between RSL speakers and all other speakers. It's the secret behind our award-winning sound. It's why RSL speakers sound so clear and incredibly realistic.

STANDARD SPEAKERS & SUBWOOFERS

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How Do
They
Work?
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How Do
Ours
Work?

RSL SPEAKERS & SPEEDWOOFERS

Customer Reviews

Based on 13 reviews
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i
isolar801

A lot of great things have been written about these speakers...I don't need to repeat it all...except to say....all those things are true.

Every review you will find says the same thing....this is about as good as it gets for sound and build quality.

The CG5's are absolutely beautiful to listen to and absolutely gorgeous to look at.

In my 50 years of audio hobbying and sales there have been very few times when I could say "I'm impressed".

Well, Im impressed....and happy.

Thanks to Howard and Joe and their coworkers! Service and product such as this is rare....damn rare.

W
Whit

Added a pair of CG5s as heights, and also using them for music in all-channel stereo mode, where they share the main stage with Emotiva T1 towers and a CG23 center. The blending with the T1s is excellent. Both pairs offer comparable subtlety of response; each adds but the slightest coloration; in combination the coloration balances out to a neutrality where the individual speakers disappear and the vocals and instruments sound as if in the room. This is sourced through a Yamaha pre-pro, and Emotiva BasX amps. The received wisdom is to take your speaker brands straight, not mixed. Yet in my case the mix proves fortuitous. The improvement beyond running either the T1s alone, or in combination with the more budget-minded Klipsches I formerly had as heights, is huge.

S
Sumptuous s.

I came across RSL by accident while doing research to replace 20 year old satellite speakers. After seeing RSL mentioned in several forums, I decided to investigate.

At this time, I developed email relationship with Joe who was extremely supportive and helpful with advice on speakers and receivers to consider.

Shortly after this I decided to get a pair of CG5s as front speakers (over the internet - crazy?) I encountered some issues and again Joe continued to provide excellent support as we tried to identify the correct receiver settings for my home.

Wrapping up — the CG5s offer truly astounding, sumptuous sound. With the CG5s, I not only hear beautiful music but also the distinctive characteristics of the individual instruments. You hear the guitar pick the string, the resonance, the decay - all components of music. The sound is life-like.

The only thing better than the CG5s is the exceptional service that Joe offers. I have now added a Speedwoofer (which is extraordinary). I will never buy loudspeakers from anyone else. I will be moving to new home next year and Joe is already giving advice on how best to set this up.

Thanks Joe for your extraordinary products, service and company,

E
Edward K.

When I think about how to describe the CG5s, the word that keep circling back to is extraordinary.

I’ve read about how good RSLs little bookshelf speakers are. I like speakers with a bit more heft, so when the cg5 line came out, I had to try a set of them. I’ve owned a number of speakers since I got bit by the audio bug back in the 90s’. Currently I have SVS Ultras in my living room, that I picked up used for a great price. The Ultras have been a sort of place-holder while I’ve searched for something a little more musical. I like the Ultras, and they fill my 22x19 living room nicely, they just lack something I can’t quite put my finger on.

Most of the listening I do in the living room is music. Its probably 70/30 music to movies. Most of the serious listening and movie watching takes place in my 30x24 basement theater, through a set of towers I picked up just under 10 years ago.

I’ve listened to the cg5s now for almost a month. Truth be told, I didn’t expect to keep them, I was more just curious to see what they were all about. Most of the initial listening was done with the intention of finding what I don’t like, rather than what I do. That’s where the problems started. I wasn’t finding anything.

No Ordinary Love by Sade, sounded phenomenal, and this is after a couple hours of break in while watching TV. Sade’s voice is like velvet, and I could almost feel her presence in the room. In fact, everything sounded present. Ok, so good start. But could they handle something harder, like Led Zeppelin, or The Who, maybe some AC/DC? Effortlessly. I listened to Thunderstruck twice in a row because I couldn’t get over how good it sounded. I’ve heard this song more times than I can count, in fact I really don’t choose to listen to it unless its specifically for testing purposes. When I heard it through the cg5s, I just couldn’t believe it. The guitars were big and powerful, but I could still hear every nuance of the vocals. Amazing. The sound dominated my living room, in a good way. Im really shocked that speakers this small are doing this.

I told my son to come over. He’s been interested in doing a theater in his basement. Sat him down in front of the cg5s and give him control. He played some Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana, and then some electronic music that I’m too old-school for. As we’re listening, the sound just wanted to take over our motor skills and force pour heads to bob and out feet to tap. It was fun, a lot of fun.

When I put my Ultras back, the sound was large and loud, but somewhat displeasing. You lose that connection and everything sounds more muddled together. It was like going from a 60” tv to an 80” tv with better color and contrast. Everything was clearer and more defined through the cg5s.

So long story short, my son is taking my Ultras for now, and the cg5s are staying. I knew these would be good speakers, I just wasn’t expecting how good. I’m going to bring these downstairs and listen against my towers. I’m kind of afraid of what I’m going to find. I paid over 4 times as much for the towers and now I’m not sure if I need to upgrade those too.

M
Martize W.

Absolutely beautiful sounding speakers. Got a pair for my 5.1 HT. The mids and highs out of these things are phenomenal. I enjoy feeling like I'm in a theater right in my own living room.

SPECIFICATIONS

CG5 Bookshelf Speaker
  • Woofer: 5.25” cast frame, aramid-fiber cone with Ferrite Magnet
  • Tweeter: 1” translucent silk dome, neodymium rare earth magnet
  • Frequency Response: 54-35,000 Hz ± 3dB
  • Speaker Impeadance: 4 ohms
  • Recommended Impedance setting for amplifiers: 6 or 8 ohms (whichever is higher)
  • Sensitivity: 86 dB SPL @ 2.83 V, 1 meter distance
  • Recommended Power: 25-150 watts
  • Crossover Frequency: 2,500 Hz
  • Crossover Slope: 12 dB/octave
  • Crossover Parts: Air core coils, polypropylene capacitors, gold-plated binding posts
  • Tuning Method: Compression Guide™
  • Weight: 16 lbs.
  • Dimensions: H: 12 5/8” W: 7 5/8” D: 11 1/2″ (without grille 10 3/4”)